Convertible automobile top



Feb. 11 1958 H. MERSHEIMER EI'AL CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE TOP 3Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 20, 1954 Jfm; fiziviy g z 19 izfz' @2272Attorney Feb. 11, 1958 H. MERSHEIMER ETAL CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE TOP r 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 20 1954 Feb. 11, 1958 H. MERSHEIMER Ei- ALCONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE TOP 5 Sheets-$heet 3 Filed Dec. 20 1954 lnvergtors Xe/z; fifnzsfiazme 1! I fi Attorney 2,823,073 7 g CONVERTIBLEAUTOMOBILE 'ror Hans Mersheimer and Philipp Orth, Russelsheim (Main),

Germany, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., acorporation of Delaware Application December 20, 1954, Serial No.476,440 Claims priority, application Germany January 7, 1954 6 Claims.(Cl. 296-416) This invention relates to folding tops for convertibleautomobiles'.

The manipulation of such folding tops is often awkward and difiicult andmust frequently be facilitated by additional means, such as springs andother source of power. Known foldable top constructions must be of heavyconstruction and are also of complicated design.

They are therefore expensive, liable to give trouble and t do notreadily permit of production in quantity. Finally, I

in known constructions, the proportion between the length of the top andthe length of its side supports is unsatisfactory. Thus, for example,the supports for the top often extend some distance along the top andlimit the passengers field of view.

The main object of the invention is to eliminate these 3 defects,particularly in those motor vehicles fitted with a fixed roof frame orstationary side walls.

According to the invention the foldable top in its 'extended or unfoldedposition supports itself on the roof frame, possibly through elasticmembers, and at the same time conforms to the contour of this frame.

Due to the fact that the top in the "unfolded position supports itselfon the roof frame or the side walls, its structure need only be of lowstrength. Thus it may be kept particularly light and can be drawn out upto its most extended position, i. e., until the toggle joints of itsmembers touch each other.

The structural depth of the supporting system in comparision with theknown roof assemblies may be considerably diminished and the weightreduced. Moreover rattling is also reduced.

A further advantage attainable through the invention, is that the rearpoints of attachment for the complete top may be placed behind a backseat, and no viewobstructing supports within the field of vision of thepassengers are necessary. Moreover, the mounting of the hood issimplified; manufacturing tolerances can easilybe. circumvented and ahood which has become warped through the continued action of weather maybe re-ad-.

justed easily and conveniently.

'Ihe accompanying drawings show an example of a foldable topconstruction according to the invention.

In'the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of the foldable top in,

the unfolded state with the covering material omitted;

Fig. 2, a plan of the top according to Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 to 8'are enlarged sections along lines 3-3,

The foldable top construction consists of two sc'issor'-' 2 ,823,073 iatented Feb. 11, 1958 ice sion the top covering 48 when the top is inthe unfolded or raisedv position. The top is symmetrically arranged withrespect to the direction of travel, so that there are no fundamentaldifferences, between the left and righthand halves.

The structure. will therefore be described by way of example withreference to the left-hand half shown in the drawing. 7 v v Thelazy-tongs system commences at the rear end of the rooffrarne 26,withamain member 40 and a guide member 39, which members are able tomove about a pivot 22 (Figs. land 10) situated approximately in themiddle of same. The main member 40 is mounted on a bearing plate '27 bymeans of a hinge 24 whilst the hinge 23 of the guide member 39 is joinedto the bearing plate 27 via a link 41, with the result that afour-sidedlinkage orarticulated system is formed. A holder 28 for thetop covering is secured to the link 41. It serves to guide the coveringmaterial 48 at the rear end of the vehicle in the manner intended.

The main and guide members 40, 39 are continued 1 the direction oftravel, by four further pairs of members, 38, 37; 36, 35; 34, 33; 32,31. These are pivotally-united crosswise by hinges 19, 16, 13, 10 andthe pairs are connected to eachother through toggle joints 21, 20,- 18,17, 15, 14, 12 and 11 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 10). The forward bow 47 issecured to the member 31 of the lazy-tongs system through the member 30and when the top is inthe unfolded condition it rests on thewindscreen-'- frame which constitutes a part of the roof frame and to 1-which the top may be attached by fastenings.

In the unfolded position, the lazy-tongs systemsupports itself ontheroof frame 26. For this purpose, each side of the top is provided withelastic elements, e. g., two I rubber cushions 49, 50 at each side.These rest in recesses 51 of the roof frame 26 and thereby secure thetop;

in lateral direction also (see Fig. 1 and .Figs. 5 and 8).

The front how 47 also rests-on the wind-screen frame 26 with theinterposition 'of a rubber bolster 29. Dueto the fact that the top restson the roof frame, the lazy.- tongs may be moved into their mostextended position until their toggle joints 21, 20, 18,17, 15, 14, 12and 11 touch each other (see Figs. 4, 6, 7).

against said frame.

are eliminated.

In order to adapt the course of the lazy-tongs to the roof frame, thespacing of the upper toggle joints 20,-'17,

14, 11 is greater than that of the toggle joints 21, 18, 15,; 12situated below at the frame so that adjacent pairs ofjoints (e. g. 14,17, 18, 15) form a trapezium.

The bows 44, 45, 46 as well as the main bow 43" are mounted in therespective upper'toggle joints 20, 17, 14, 11 of the lazy-tongs; onlythe rear bow 42 is secured to the main member 40 via a hinged joint 52and by reason of its shape is able to support itself on same.

The bows 43 to 46 are made of tubing and span the passenger space.Welded on to their ends are hinge plates ment is effectedsimultaneously. by the rivets for conQ like or lazy-tongs systems whichrest on the roof frame 26 of a motor vehicle and are joined together bya plurality of bow members 42 to 47. They support and ten-- 53 which arebentv at an angle.

toggle joints 17, 14, 11 of the lazy-tongs. Their attachnectingtheindividual members together.

These are pivotally mounted by means of rivets 61 in the respectiveupper of the members. and maintain the bows in'the erect position (seeFigs.' 1, 4, 6, 7).

when se g t rf 5s e I f t mes-Joints. 9. fis a a is no riskof a fingei"being pinched when tli' top isfo l ed folded; At the joi n ts 22, to 19,washer s sfs rt1on 5 6 of the roof :frame 26 runs obliquely backwards d"wnw'ards; aria abuts" against the ,"side wall of t'lie coac (see Figs,"sans-"11 liit his" regionfife'. bhir'id the back seats;J'iiiounting'jalt' 58 welded to the "vehicle" body is prolvidedl"It"h'a's twa holes 59 whose diameters are greater 'tliaifriece'ssar'yfor s ;Qmp dn Y,

V Qansquently itis pgssible to adjirst the ent i top during-assembly. flhis ssembly mayfbe carriedouth? placing the entended lazydongs "on theroof frame and" su iqs t e o -war ovi w dths nd sfre f am Finally thebolts 60-are tighteriedmp; 1 Sincethc hole 59 are; of enlarged diameter,silfiic'ieiit play is available to ea-r'icel out inaccuracies ofmanufacture; Moreover if" the top-eventnally'becomesdistorted under thecontinual infiuence of weather; this; can be corrected by readjustment;Of coursethe-holesSWmay be shaped as slots.

Iii-ordaito bring thetop ffoni 'the unfolded position show-din Fig. 1 tothe-folded position aecordingfto Fig. 9; the forward bow-47*is;-liftedup-slightly,- The main bow 42 can then be forced or pulled backwardswhereupon the top collapses into itself-; The top can be opened whenthe-vehicle is in motion. Here; again the forward how 47 must beslightly'raised*' and the top; is thencartiedalongintothe opened position-(Fig;9) bythe airstream.

Aswill be seenfrom Figse 9 and 10; in--this condition the toggle joints12,15 18, 21- a-ndthe. joint 24:1ie directly one upon theotherawhilst;the-toggle joints- 1:1, 14, 17 rand=2flblie atta distancefromeaeh-t other. Art-the same timezthecovermaterial548 -is notlpinched'by thetmernbers and; the; bpws: The; advantageis obtainedr as. follows:Asralready stated; above, the togglajointsi (114, L7; 18, 15, for:example)- form; atrapezium when; the; topiis closed; Theihi ge. 1,6;tuated twee h m. does; ot o nc de with the point of intersection of thediagonals; of; the trapezium; t is, n ent o ally; h ted Haws y. 1% ma mnt: The f th h hin es ie: above; he; pa n Q inter c on o t t e r p ziuiagqn ls he: grea er s: h p i a he o le-jo nts 11, 17 whsnt s hood is inthe folded condition-t (seIe Fig 110).

hev Po n o a me t 41: and 5), 0f he; to e o y e be nd he b ck. seat and!ehi d: e o frame runn ng b iquely dQwnw -ds-.. A at'con equ n there-:-vare no obstructing top, supportg -rods, or thelike in the field, ofvision of; the passengers.

Weclaim:

1., In, avehicl'e, b ody, a folding top, frami QQQlPrising, a pair of,spaced, fol le. i e, i s a h f; ai s e rails including. a plur ity oazy. tq .t nl;a l s sments movable between folded; and unfoldedpositions to raise and lower said, top frame with respect to said body,each said arrangement including a pair of" members pivotallyinterconnected:intermediate-the ends; thereof; the free ends of each;of= said members being'pi-votally con-nected to the free ends ofrespective members 0)? ade jacent-linkage arrangements; whereby: saidpivotal con-s nections between each said arrangement and the adja= 7:3

cent arrangements thereto define upper andslower pairs of toggle jointsin the unfolded position of said arrangements, with the spacing betweensaid upper pair of toggle joints being greater than the spacing betweensaid lower pair of toggle joints, and transverse bow meansinterconnecting said spaced fold able side rails.

2. In a vehicle body, a foldi ng top frame cp mprising, a pair ofspacedfoldabl side rails; each bf"said side rails" i'ricludingv aplurality 'T'of lazy; .tdng. linka e, ana lgsr' mentsinovable be weenfolded andtunfoldedypositiofis to raise and lower said :6 5 time withrespect'to said body, e chtsaidtarrang ment. nclud n asnai sr fmsinbs sfiis pivot mea ns pivotally interconnecting said me interm'diat theridsthereof; sco'ndfpivot' means-"inter connecting the freejendsiofgeach;ofisaiimembers with the free ends of respective members of adjacentlinkage arrangements whereby said second pivot means between each. saidarrangements anditlie adjacent, arrangements thereto define upper andlower pairs of toggle joints in they unfoldedpositionofssa'idl-arrangements, the spacing betweenr saidiu pe' pair,of. toggle joints. eing grea er.

than the"s acingtbetween,thelowerfpair Qfrwggle joints, with saidifirstpivoLmeanslying oihcnppm ide o s he lsectione of; lines. throughdiagonal y. ppos t r e ond pivot ins-ans,- and transvers ewi neans, nteconne n saidspaced foldalhle, sidesr'ails,

ll-.3 \VEIii IQhQQYl a feldi er n ra e. mp n a pair, oitspaeed, fqldableside including a; plurality. vof

a dta ansemen r sl id na an in kmsmbs s Z YQ Y age arrangements whereba. sieini al wi s i s r -syn sash; s

s t nd anew srras srfi i ists ha ati kil b ti v fit der ansi h '7 i If,J gl iibi l- H b t ee i j srl- Pa toggle jo n wherebiy ,in said; foldedtp'osfitio'n assailant; rangernents aidlofvv erJp air's of toggle, hits;are in en? gagement with each other and saidr uprienpair joints areinspaced relationship to ea qhlother, andtransd-veils 4. In a vehicle.body, a folding top, frame comprising,

a pa ir of spaced foldable side rails', each o'fsaid side, railsincluding; a; plurality of lazy tong linkagej arrangements;

ig ab f siw en' lsled nds nf ded po i ions, raise" and lqwer" s aid toprespect 7 to said side rails, ash. a d: ar an me 29. j r r m m rs i a sa s sq sss si e n and of,r pective members ofadfl jacent linkagearrangement l sa id pivotal con? nect i ons between.eachsaid arrangementand the adjacent a pair of spaced fdldable siderailsf eaeh'br said sidensl lisa a rlisalit Qt zy, a s i my "a 'igna mea assists pair; berspivotally interconnected intermediate the" ends there ai iv aeh f aid, sde ails, a tong linkage arrangements mov blej twe n', lde wie ded P9 i Q1Si r and lower said top frame with respect ltqsaj dbody each 1 5 55931s srr a w n ss aa'st aa a d P sst j i ble dlate, the, endsv thereof;enibersTbeing pivotallyi olded; positionof said 3 arrangements and;

of, the free ends of each of said members being pivotally connected tothe free ends of respective members of adjacent linkage arrangementswhereby said pivotal connections between each said arrangement and theadjacent arrangements thereto define spaced pairs of upper and lowertoggle joints in the unfolded position of said arrangernents, thespacing between said upper toggle joints being greater than the spacingbetween said lower toggle joints, with each upper toggle joint of saidpairs being in engagement with each lower toggle joint in the unfoldedposition of said arrangements, and transverse bow means interconnectingsaid spaced foldable side rails.

6. In a vehicle body, a folding top frame comprising, a pair of spacedfoldable side rails, each of said side rails including a plurality oflazy tong linkage arrangements movable between folded and unfoldedpositions to raise and lower said top frame, each said arrangementincluding a pair of members pivotally interconnected intermediate theends thereof, with the free ends of each of said members being pivotallyconnected to the free ends of respective members of adjacent linkagearrangements whereby said pivotal connections between each saidarrangement and the adjacent arrangements thereto define spaced pairs ofupper and lower toggle joints in the unfolded position of saidarrangements, each of said upper toggle joints being in engagement witha respective lower toggle joint in the unfolded position of said linkagearrangements and being located in spaced relationship with respect toeach other in the folded position of said linkage arrangements, andtransverse bow means interconnecting said spaced foldable side rails.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,301,619 Szemanski Apr. 22, 1919 1,301,894 Audia Apr. 29, 19192,184,537 Valletta Dec. 26, 1939 2,620,223 Doty Dec. 2, 1953 2,694,598Ulrich Nov. 16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 312,485 Great Britain May 30, 1929637,871 Great Britain May 31, 1950

